Build Barbara Garcia a Home (moore,ok)

I am in contact with Barbara and her family. They are so thankful, humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness and generosity. Before the CBS piece aired, I didn't know Barbara Garcia personally, but was incredibly moved by her story and of her reunion with her sweet dog, captured on CBS news (live) after the Moore, Oklahoma tornado on May 20th. Barbara could have been my mother, my grandmother, my neighbor or my friend. I was shattered upon seeing her home destroyed, her recounting her experience and her joy upon seeing that her dog had survived it all. My goal is to ease her recovery, raise enough money to help her start to rebuild or relocate her life, and above all else, to show her that "life in the big city" also means helping one another, even from 1500 miles away.



Some people may feel more compelled to donate money directly to the Red Cross or local Salvation Army chapters, which I completely understand. I was inspired to create this fund so that I could impact one person's life directly and personally, just as she impacted mine. How amazing would it be if social media and the power of human empathy could help build her a new home? Barbara did not have homeowners insurance and is temporarily living with her daughter and her grandchildren.


If I can inspire you to donate $5, $10 or $25 to help Barbara begin to build a new home (complete with a dog house for her canine companion) I'd be eternally grateful and it will go a long way. If you are unable to donate, please share the link with friends via facebook and twitter and help us get the word out about Barbara's story. And "in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."

Let's show her what love and community is all about.

Sincerely,
Erin DeRuggiero, Minneapolis, MN